The top 10 French cities for property investments

The 2019 list of top French cities for property investments has been released by the LPI-SeLoger Barometer. Here’s a look at the cities on the list, and some properties on the market in the surrounding areas.

These cities have all been named as top cities for property investments by online real estate company SeLoger.

Average prices are taken from Notaires de France.

Toulouse

Given that it is the fourth largest city in France by population, property prices in Toulouse are relatively reasonable. Known as the Pink City, Toulouse is an increasingly attractive destination due to its excellent transport links, thriving industries (it is the centre of the European aerospace industry), and high-ranking universities. As such, the population continues to grow, with a steady influx of industry professionals, students and tourists all seeking rental accommodation.

Average house price: €345,000

€340,000, my-french-house.com

Offering rental potential within easy reach of Toulouse and the Pyrénées is this beautiful maison de maître just outside the village of Saint-Gaudens. With five large and elegant rooms, a gîte, outbuildings and a swimming pool, it would make a lovely B&B.

Nantes

Astronomical prices in Bordeaux have driven many people looking for a similar lifestyle to Nantes, the capital of Loire-Atlantiques. The city offers the best of both worlds with rich culture, booming industry especially tech start-ups, and an excellent transport network. However, those considering investing in Nantes property should act fast – prices have increased 6.3% in the last year.

Average house price: €350,000

€288,900, leggettfrance.com

Less than an hour from Nantes, in the coastal area of Saint-Joachim, is this charming four-bedroom house. With elegant interiors, a large veranda, garden with fruit trees and shrubs and a basement suitable for storing cars and a boat, this house would make a wonderful rental for people wishing to enjoy both the city and the coast.

Lille

Often billed as France’s most underrated city, Lille is seeing a gradual increase in property prices which indicates that it is finally getting some well deserved recognition. In addition to the beautiful architecture, Lille is also ideally situated close to Calais for British travellers and is within very easy reach of Belgium. It boasts dynamic culture, a large student population and France’s third largest business district.

Average house price: €169,000

€535,000, sextantfrance.fr

To enjoy all the benefits of Lille without the big city feel, consider this smart property in the village of Halluin, just 30 minutes from Lille. It consists of a four bedroom main house and three bedroom guest house, meaning you’d be investing in not one but two potential rental properties. There’s a large interior courtyard and triple garage.

Lyon

Despite being notoriously expensive, Lyon’s property prices continue to rise, meaning it is definitely a worthwhile investment. It is extremely well connected with the Mediterranean, with Italy and Switzerland easily reachable, Lyon is also a particularly beautiful city, has high-ranking universities and was previously been voted France’s most business-friendly city.

Average house price: €525,000

€590,000, leggettfrance.com

This five-bedroom property is not cheap, but for a house of this size with its own swimming pool just 20 minutes from Lyon, it’s pretty good value. Situated in the commune of Lissieu, the house is also close to good schools, meaning it would be a good rental property for a commuting family. As well as the swimming pool there are private tennis courts and a large garage.

Rennes

Rennes is a huge student hub – according to SeLoger, one in every three inhabitants is currently pursuing higher education. This growing student population, as well as the low unemployment rate, mean that Rennes is currently experiencing a huge boom in housing prices, with an increase of 9.5% in the last year.

Average house price: €380,000

€349,800, leggettfrance.com

In the village of Martigné-Ferchaud, around 40 minutes from Rennes, is this excellent listing of two houses – one with five bedrooms renovated to a high standard, and the other with three bedrooms in need of some renovation, all set in attractive gardens with outbuildings. This would work wonderfully as a main owners house and second rental property, taking advantage of the booming tourism industry in Brittany.

Angers

It may not be a particularly big city, but rental demand in and around Angers is on the rise. With a rich history, thriving café culture and large student population, Angers also benefits from its proximity to Paris. The city is not only popular among the working and studying French – as the gateway to the Loire Valley, Angers is also increasingly popular among tourists and expats.

Average house price: €220,000

€475,000, my-french-house.com

Property prices in the Loire Valley are low, which means that for less than €500k you could be the owner of a whole estate, including a grand main property with four-bedrooms, annexe with one bedroom, and a three bedroom gîte. The properties are set in magnificent grounds, with a walled formal garden, large pond and fountain, swimming pool, patio and over a hectare of woodland. Around 40 minutes from Angers, and close to beautiful countryside, it would make a good hotel, holiday let or even events venue.

Montpellier

The beautiful city of Montpellier benefits from a perfect climate, beautiful architecture and gentler pace of life, and is steadily gaining momentum as one of the best French cities to live in with a moderate real estate price increase of 3% in the last year. With charming shopping and restaurant streets and a distinctly younger feel, Montpellier is also becoming more popular among tourists, It is within reach of popular destinations Marseille and Beziers, and of course the Mediterranean.

Average house price: €285,000

€334,800, realestatelanguedoc.com

This beautiful five-bedroom house is located in Béziers, a popular location in itself, but only an hour’s drive from Montpellier. The house is recently renovated and comes with a gîte, which would offer a good rental income from tourists wanting to explore the area. Outside is a lovely courtyard garden and terrace.

Tours

Historic Tours has so much to offer, including beautiful châteaux, excellent restaurants and scenic surroundings – no wonder it’s a popular base for many tourists wishing to visit the Loire Valley. The city small city is also conveniently situated just an hour from Paris by train – perhaps this is why investors hurry to snap up properties while they are still relatively low-priced.

Average house price: €239,000

€445,200, leggettfrance.com

28km from Tours, perched high on a hillside is this four-bedroom house, which would make a great investment as a luxury holiday let, given the sauna/relaxation room and large gym that come with the property. It enjoys magnificent views and elegant interiors.

Poitiers

A fairly quiet city with beautiful architecture and plenty of cultural attractions, Poitiers is among the cheapest French cities to live in. Nevertheless, property prices are gradually rising with a 4.8% increase in the last year, indicating that Poitiers is slowly gaining popularity. Interestingly, the rental demand in Poitiers seems to be geared more toward houses rather than apartments, with more long-term rentals.

Average house price: €150,800

€318,000, beauxvillages.com

Despite being significantly higher than the average house price, this barn conversion an hour away from Poitiers would be ideal as a luxury long-term rental or holiday let. The four bedroom house has been finished to an impeccable standard, with large and contemporary interiors, a fabulous heated pool, and private woodland.

Strasbourg

For the size and popularity of the city, Strasbourg enjoys fairly reasonable property prices. The capital of Alsace, also a capital of European culture, is a hive of beautiful buildings, cultural attractions and industry, with major transport links to the rest of France and Europe.

Average house price: €346,500

€247,000, green-acres.fr

In the very heart of Strasbourg, close to all amenities, is this pleasant and stylish duplex apartment in a characterful old building. With one bedroom and space for an office or library it would be a perfect long-term rental, or would also work well as a short-term holiday let.

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